O Christmas Tree

I know I've already vented about pushing the seasons. But Wednesday, Neiman Marcus in Boston was putting up its holiday tree!

Two workers were busy hanging up ornaments.

I reminded them that it is still technically summer. They just shook their heads.

Now I guess we'll be stuck with the holiday soundtrack. Bah humbug!

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Best in show

[marc jacobs]

I'm finally back from Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, and the question that everyone is asking is: "What was your favorite show?" for the spring/summer '08 season.

I have a few answers to that. In some cases I really admired the artistry. Marc Jacobs approached his collection as a concept rather than pulling together a bunch of pretty frocks. Yes, he started two hours late and people were getting restless, but every part of his show had meaning and symbolism, and I'm happy to wait a little longer for quality. It gave a (twisted) look into his imagination, and I'm always eagaer to see a designer express himself rather than think about everyday clothing.

[marc jacobs]

[marc jabocs]

In the category of pretty things, I was impressed by Calvin Klein. The soothing neutrals were so simple and flawlessly executed that I was thinking about a cool spring evening in London as the clothes came down the runway.

[calvin klein]

Badgley Mischka's collection showed continued promise. These two designers impress me more each season, and their gowns moved and flowed so perfectly that it was hard not to get caught up in their vision of elegance.


[Badgley Mischka]

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Spotty fashion sense

Whenever my fashionista friend Jen -- she's every bit as polished as Posh -- mentions a piece of clothing she likes, I pay attention. So, when she said she'd found the perfect fall jeans at Urban Outfitters, I couldn't wait to click on the link.

Until these forever tarnished my screen:

[Don't worry, Stylephilers, she was absolutely kidding!]

Yes, for $68, you too can dress like the Leopard Empress of Stretchland. Ick. I had a pair of actual stirrup pants in this pattern (in purple) when I was five. I mean, it looks like Lisa Frank -- of Trapper Keeper and school supply fame -- designed this ill-fitting mess.

This fall, you can wear a variety of denim styles -- wide leg, high waist, skinny leg, even gray and chocolate brown hues -- and still be very much in fashion. Leave the suction-tight "Welcome to the Jungle" leggings to David Lee Roth. Please and thank you.

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Gabrielle de Papp a VP at Neimans

When I was at the new Neimans in Natick yesterday, I was thrilled to see an old friend, Gabrielle de Papp.

Boston readers will remember that it was just a year or so ago that she informed us about the changing fashion landscape in the Hub's suburbs.

Now she's vice president of corporate public relations for Neiman Marcus, based in Dallas.

Gabrielle has had a great career, covering fashion for Boston Magazine and editing Stuff @ Nite.
She was public relations director for Akris for awhile and even lived in Paris for a time.

It is wonderful to see her influencing Neimans now. She told me she still goes to the shows in Paris. And Dallas isn't so bad.

She did concede that nothing beats fall in New England.

Bravo Gabrielle!

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Neimans in Natick an architectural sight

I went to a press walk-through yesterday of the new Neiman Marcus in Natick.

The store opens Saturday to the public. It is a sight to see.

The architect is Elkus Manfredi Architects. The idea of this wave-like stainless steel exterior is to create an illusion of fabric in motion.

The interior, designed by burdifilek, is equally modern and appealing. Everything is white and well-lit. This department store is airy. No crowded aisles here.

The men's department has a room with a flat-screen TV. Yesterday, a salesmen had his head buried in the instruction book, attempting to program the remote. The game will surely be on by Saturday.

Upstairs, the women's department is young looking, featuring designers like Stella McCartney. But there are also in-store designer shops (Akris, Chanel, Armani) which all reflect the style of that design house.

The women's handbag section, which includes Gucci and Prada, appears larger than the shoe department. Perhaps they realize they can't compete with their next door neighbor's humongo shoe department (Nordstrom).

My conclusion: it's worth the drive. But bring that checkbook.

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Boston Fashion Week has come a long way

Based on the beautiful designs I saw last night at the Michael DePaulo Couture show, I can only applaud Jay Calderin. He's the founder of Boston Fashion Week.

In 1995, he set out to showcase local talent. But a lot of the talent, frankly, wasn't ready for primetime. Two years ago, Jay stopped producing the event. Now it's back and better than ever.

Michael's show last night at the Taj Boston was impressive. The designs were truly ready for the black-tie circuit.

I apologize I have no images to show. But check out michaeldepaulo.com to see his capabilities.

Bravo!

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"Queen of Green" Anita Roddick dies

Sad. Anita Roddick, 64, creator of the Body Shop and the UK's leading female entrepreneur, died yesterday from a brain hemorrhage. The self-described "flower child" -- who began the cosmetics company as a hippie shop in Brighton, England, in 1976 -- championed ethical beauty and animal rights long before it became trendy.

[Roddick in 1997]

Though I OD'd on the Body Shop's bath beads in middle school, I came to love the store's peppermint foot scrub and creamy, luxurious shea body butters a few years ago. I'm positively addicted to the store's line of hemp serums and lotions (it's an acquired scent). Best of all, I can identify with Roddick's ethos and her green goals and have always felt good about using her products.

She will be missed.

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My life is complete!

I've seen a lot of celebrities this week in NYC. Some not so big (hello there, Star Jones) and some really huge (Samuel L. Jackson sat across from me at the Y-3 show on Saturday). But today, I practically peed my pants with excitement, and it's not because I was seated in the same row as Tori Spelling. I saw Posh at Oscar de la Renta. She is the most perfectly overdone creature I've ever laid eyes on.

But where is David?

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The devil wears Puma

It was bound to happen sooner or later. I experienced my first Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week diva meltdown yesterday. I walked about 1000 blocks to the Zegna fashion show (it was on the other side of town from the Bryant Park tents) in the soupy, muggy air. It felt like dressing up, and then going for a five-mile walk in a sauna.

I finally made it to the show and gave my name at the door.

"It looks like you didn't RSVP," the woman in black told me.

I explained to her that I did RSVP.

"I'm sorry, we don't have a seat for you," she said in a tone that really didn't sound like she was sorry.

"I'm sorry that your show is a disorganized mess," I snapped back. I stormed out, grabbing a glass of complimentary champagne on the way, and then cooled my heels down the street at Pinkberry.

So, um, no report on the Zegna show.

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Nordstrom is a hit

I finally made it out to the Natick Collection today. It was worth the drive.

I took one step into Nordstrom and discovered a pair of Prada shoes for KIDS! How cool is that?
They had Michael Kors and Kenneth Cole, all for kids. Talk about putting Stride Rite to shame.

The women's designer collection was equally enchanting. I grew up in California and have never been a big Nordstrom fan. Today I changed my mind. Even the stuffy old St. John selection was stunning. And the Yves Saint Laurent collection was to die for (even if the dresses were over $1,000 a pop).

The shoe department, of course, was insanely large. (Nordstrom began as a shoe store).
They have every designer and non-designer you can think of. The sales staff is so big, there's a guy running around with a microphone announcing when a woman is waiting for service. Take that Saks Fifth Avenue.

When you finally step out of Nordstrom, the rest of the new wing of the mall is equally fun. There's Stil, Juicy Couture and the Apple Store. Neiman Marcus opens this week. The entrance has red lights all over it and is sort of glowing in anticipation.

The ceiling is all glass and there are strips of artwork hanging from it. Very relaxing. Even the carpeting is plush.

It's striking when you finally reach the old mall section. It's sort of a non event. There's Lord & Taylor and the Gap and yada yada. Of course, these stores are affordable. Just not exciting.

Happy shopping. It's worth the drive.

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It's a wrap

I wrote a story for Saturday's Living/Arts section about the return of the maxi-dress on the New York runways this week. Yesterday at the Lacoste show in Bryant Park, I noticed the return of another 1970s staple: The head scarf. Finally, if you're having a bad hair day, you can make like Rhoda Morgenstern or Little Eydie of Gray Gardens fame and tie a fashionable scarf over your troubled locks.

All dated pop culture references aside, the Lacoste show was a nice, crisp way to start a long, hot Saturday of running around Manhattan looking at fashion. Christophe Lemaire celebrated Lacoste's 75th anniversary with a selection of classic and comfortable tennis and beach wear.

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